words and phrases invoking texture

Smooth as silk

Without a single problem, with ease

“Kamimura-san impressed everyone with a presentation that was as smooth as silk.”

Rough

Difficult, challenging

“The next six months are going to be rough because sales are down and our customers aren’t re-ordering.”

A “rough draft” is an outline or an unfinished early version of a document.

Rough around the edges

Unsophisticated, unfinished, requiring further training

“The freshman, Ashida-san, is a little rough around the edges so he will join our training program.”

Bumps in the road

Minor setbacks or difficulties

“Sakurai-san expects there will be plenty of bumps in the road but is enthusiastic about the product launch anyway.”

Hard on

Strict, demanding

“Nobu is so hard on his secretaries that he can’t keep one over three months.”

To be “soft on” someone or something is to be too lenient; the opposite of “hard on”.